Blue Monday should be more like Meow! With its quirky cat cafes, the UK has been purring its way into the hearts of cat lovers.
Cat cafés have blossomed worldwide in the last two decades, mostly for the benefits of animal therapy on human wellbeing. The world’s first cat cafe, Cat Flower Garden, opened in Taiwan in 1998 before becoming a global tourist attraction. Later, the concept spread to Japan and Neko no Jikan opened in Osaka in 2004.
A decade later, Europeans and Brits were as eager as their Asian counterparts to combine the joy of sipping coffee with the soothing presence of feline friends, so the first cat cafe in Britain, Totnes, opened in Devon in 2013.
In this article, we explore the top cat cafes in Britain where you can enjoy a peckish break surrounded by adorable cats before resuming your journey in the UK!
View our full list of cat cafes in Britain here.
Top London Cat Cafes
Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, Bethnal Green, East London
- Address: 152-154, Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 6DG
- Tube station: Overground ‘Shoreditch High Street’
Located in Bethnal Green, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium pioneered the cat cafe trend in London and was the first to open in the capital in 2014. Named after Alice’s little pet kitten in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” this cosy cafe is home to a group of rescue cats. Here you can enjoy delicious pastries, sandwiches, and tea in the peaceful atmosphere of its little feline residents.
Java Whiskers, Marylebone & White City, Central London
- Addresses: Marylebone – 105 Great Portland St, London W1W 6QF / White City – Ariel Way, London W12 7HB
- Tube stations: Marylebone – Bakerloo, Victoria or Central lines ‘Oxford Circus’ / White City – Hammersmith & City Line, Circle Line ‘Wood Lane’
With cafes in Marylebone and White City, Java Whiskers is also a foster home for homeless cats and kittens, who are available for adoption upon application. The cafe’s motto? Felines have been proven to positively affect mental health, so anyone feeling lonely, enjoying family time, or generally loving cats and pastries is welcome to have a cuppa and a cuddle. A booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Whiskers & Cream, Upper Holloway, North London
- Address: 593 Holloway Rd, Archway, London N19 4DJ
- Tube stations: Overground ‘Upper Holloway’ or Northern Line ‘Archway’
Meet the ten cats at Whiskers & Cream in Upper Holloway, North London. While cuddling the cats, you can treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea here. With vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and under-11 options and artisan coffee, you chose the right place to unwind and have a fabulous story to tell after visiting London.
Paws Cat Cafe, Tonbridge
- Address: Angel Walk, 5 Angel Ln, Tonbridge TN9 1TJ
- Rail station: ‘Tonbridge’
If you have time and want to venture a bit further outside London, head to Tonbridge, home to another remarkable cat cafe. Owner Elaine opened Paws Cat Cafe after deciding it was time to do what she loved and even onboarded her daughter as Paws Manager. Today this place wonderfully combines the joy of being surrounded by cats with the delight of trying good cakes. Here the entry is £10 per person per hour, and again, booking in advance will avoid disappointment.
Top Cat Cafes in the UK
The Cosy Cat Cafe, Herne Bay
Another cat gem is further to the country’s East, near Canterbury. The furry hosts are all rescues who weren’t well taken care of. But with lots of love from both owners and customers, these cats felt much more confident to be surrounded by people, and The Cosy Cat Cafe was born in Herne Bay. There’s a special Afternoon Tea with Cats, which you’ll need to pre-book, starting at £22.95 per person.
Maison de Moggy, Edinburgh
If you happen to visit Edinburgh, discover Maison de Moggy, a cosy cat paradise, the first cat cafe to open in Scotland! With plenty of displays to climb and toys to play with, the cats never get bored, not to mention their dedicated nannies. Cats can also access a ‘do not disturb’ bedroom if they don’t wish to mingle. Here, indulge in a delicious changing cake menu while playing with kitties for £12 per person per hour.
Purrple Cat Cafe, Glasgow
Having opened its doors in Glasgow in 2017, the Purrple Cat Cafe is now proud to be home to more than thirty rescue cats. Enjoy an amazing cat cafe experience in a playful atmosphere with a range of hot drinks, milkshakes, ice cream, and cakes (vegan options are also available). You can also sign up for Purrple Cat Cafe Membership and get exclusive perks both in the café and online, i.e. promotions on food and drinks, discounts on merchandise, etc.
Mad Catter, Eastbourne
Located in Eastbourne, Mad Catter is a family-run business that adopted 16 cats like Chloe or Marmalade, who have all grown up in the cafe and even had babies. The felines are a great source of joy for customers, and you can enjoy sweet delicacies while cuddling or entertaining them.
Paws For Thought, Romsey
Not far from Southampton, Paws For Thought is an adorable cat cafe that serves several afternoon tea options starting at £25 per person, on top of being a cat rescue and offering a catsitting service. Owner Emma opened the place after visiting a cat cafe herself and picturing one more in Hampshire. Her rescue cat Bree and beloved late cat Louis inspired her to open her cat concept.
Pause Cat Cafe, Bournemouth
Located in Bournemouth, Pause Cat Cafe opened in 2017 after the owner met homeless cat Rooney and fell in love with him. She then decided to open the place and rescue more cats knowing their positive effect on people’s happiness. The cafe is very much committed to animal welfare, ethical eating, local food on their menu, volunteering, and community projects.
Cool for Cats Cafe, Devon
This cat café is special as the cats once hosted Britain’s first cat cafe in Totnes. Cool for Cats Cafe has a large relaxing lounge and garden; the cats treat it as an extension of their home. The minimum age required is 16 years old, and this not-for-profit cafe takes the well-being of the cats at heart with a certain number of rules to follow for a balanced and respectful experience.
Shakespaw Cat Cafe, Stratford-upon-Avon
Nestled in the heart of historic Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, Shakespaw Cat Cafe is a place for both culture and cat lovers! Relax in the vintage atmosphere and enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in the company of cats.
Kitty Cafe, Nottingham, Birmingham & Leeds
With restaurants in Nottingham, Leeds or Birmingham, the small Kitty Cafe chain has one thing in mind: cats. Designed especially for felines, you’ll find wide open spaces and many cat toys for the pets’ well-being and customers’ comfort. Each table has colourful sofas and armchairs for an unforgettable cat cafe experience in Britain.
Tabby Teas, Sheffield
In the heart of Sheffield, Tabby Teas homes nine residents, who are all rescue cats and work with local charities Mill House Animal Sanctuary and Cat-ching Sheffield, to ensure the cats’ happiness. Here customers and cats enjoy each other’s company in a relaxing vibe. Families, friends or solo travellers are welcome to come and join the fun while having some delicious food.
CatPawCino, Newcastle
Located on the beautiful Newcastle Quayside overlooking the River Tyne, CatPawCino opened on the assumption that not everyone has the time or space to have their own cat. Therefore, it provides a refuge for eight kitties with a sit-in café, where you can cuddle while eating some cat-themed cakes and biscuits.
Cat Cafe, Liverpool
Cat Cafe should be on your bucket list of things to do in Liverpool. The cat cafe specialises in pet-assisted therapy to help people feel better. From those on the autistic spectrum to those suffering from depression, this is a safe space, on top of being a quiet and entertaining spot for both customers and cats. Between paninis and bagels, the cafe also offers a book club for local book lovers to gather and share their thoughts!
We hope you’ll enjoy discovering these fantastic and caring cat cafes in London and the UK. Whether you’re a cat lover or looking for a memorable coffee experience, make sure to add any of these places to your 2024 bucket list on top of exciting day tours from London.
